Ponting plays golf 'fantastically well' like 'pro', says Oz golfer

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has reportedly been hailed for playing 'fantastically well' like a 'professional' following another scintillating round in the New Zealand Open.

Just a week after carding a 69 in the Vic Open pro-am off the back markers, Ponting fired six birdies alongside Australian golfer Daniel Popovic as the pro-am style event began in Queenstown on Thursday.

According to Fox Sports, Popovic said that Ponting could potentially have scored even better but had 'gone all out for the team score' on a few holes when the 2012 Australian PGA champion's ball was safely in play, adding that Ponting almost plays like a professional golfer.

Stating that there is almost no difference between Ponting and other professional when he hit balls, Popovic also said that Ponting flushes his irons and drives and also chips and putts very well, and the report mentioned that the pair a combined seven-under-par 65 on the Millbrook course near Arrowtown.

Although Ponting has repeatedly hosed down suggestions he would turn professional, Popovic said that Australia's most prolific Test batsman has told him he enjoyed golf too much to jeopardise that by competing constantly at the highest level.

The pair plays again on Friday at the nearby The Hills Golf Club, with the top 35 pairs to advance to the weekend's action and the top 10 pairs after Saturday surviving into the final round for a share of 50,000-dollar prize money, the report added.